Default locales

The method getDefault() returns an array of relevant locales
using information from the user's web browser (if available), information from the
environment of the host server, and Zend Framework settings. As with the constructor
for Zend_Locale, the first parameter selects a preference of
which information to consider (BROWSER,
ENVIRONMENT, or FRAMEWORK first.
The second parameter toggles between returning all matching locales or only the
first or best match. Locale-aware components normally use only the first locale. A
quality rating is included, when available.

Getting the language and region

Use getLanguage() to obtain a string containing the two
character language code from the string locale identifier. Use
getRegion() to obtain a string containing the two character
region code from the string locale identifier.

Get the locale by giving a territory

When you only have the territory or country then it's also possible to get a locale
from that information. You can manually search if there is a locale for this territory
by using getLocaleToTerritory(). This method returns a
locale for the given territory or NULL when there was has no locale
been found.

Example #6 getLocaleToTerritory

$locale = Zend_Locale::getLocaleToTerritory('US');

// returns 'en_US'

Note: Uppercase territories
When you know that you are using a territory, then you should uppercase it.
Otherwise you could get an in your eyes false locale in return when you use other
methods. For example: When you give "om" then
getLocaleToTerritory() returns you "ar_OM" as it knows that
you mean a territory. But all other methods will return "om", as it's also a
language.
So when you know that the given string is a territory, eighter use
getLocaleToTerritory() yourself before creating a locale,
or uppercase the input.

Obtaining localized strings

getTranslationList() gives you access to localized information
of several types. These information are useful if you want to display localized data to
a customer without the need of translating it. They are already available for your
usage.

The requested list of information is always returned as named array. If you want to give
more than one value to a explicit type where you wish to receive values from, you have
to give an array instead of multiple values.

You can receive this information for all languages. But not all information is
completely available for all languages. Some of these types are also available through
an own function for simplicity. See this list for detailed information.

Returns a localized list of all languages. The language part of the
locale is returned as key and the translation as value

Script

Returns a localized list of all scripts. The script is returned as key
and the translation as value

Territory

Returns a localized list of all territories. This contains countries,
continents and territories. To get only territories and continents use
'1' as value. To get only countries use '2' as value. The country part
of the locale is used as key where applicable. In the other case the
official ISO code for this territory is used. The
translated territory is returned as value. When you omit the value you
will get a list with both.

Variant

Returns a localized list of known variants of scripts. The variant is
returned as key and the translation as value

Key

Returns a localized list of known keys. This keys are generic values
used in translation. These are normally calendar, collation and
currency. The key is returned as array key and the translation as value

Type

Returns a localized list of known types of keys. These are variants of
types of calendar representations and types of collations. When you use
'collation' as value you will get all types of collations returned. When
you use 'calendar' as value you will get all types of calendars
returned. When you omit the value you will get a list all both returned.
The type is used as key and the translation as value

Layout

Returns a list of rules which describes how to format special text parts

Characters

Returns a list of allowed characters within this locale

Delimiters

Returns a list of allowed quoting characters for this locale

Measurement

Returns a list of known measurement values. This list is depreciated

Months

Returns a list of all month representations within this locale. There
are several different representations which are all returned as sub
array. If you omit the value you will get a list of all months from the
'gregorian' calendar returned. You can give any known calendar as value
to get a list of months from this calendar returned. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

Month

Returns a localized list of all month names for this locale. If you omit
the value you will get the normally used gregorian full name of the
months where each month number is used as key and the translated month
is returned as value. You can get the months for different calendars and
formats if you give an array as value. The first array entry has to be
the calendar, the second the used context and the third the width to
return. Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

Days

Returns a list of all day representations within this locale. There are
several different representations which are all returned as sub array.
If you omit the value you will get a list of all days from the
'gregorian' calendar returned. You can give any known calendar as value
to get a list of days from this calendar returned. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

Day

Returns a localized list of all day names for this locale. If you omit
the value you will get the normally used gregorian full name of the days
where the english day abbreviation is used as key and the translated day
is returned as value. You can get the days for different calendars and
formats if you give an array as value. The first array entry has to be
the calendar, the second the used context and the third the width to
return. Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

Week

Returns a list of values used for proper week calculations within a
locale. Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

Quarters

Returns a list of all quarter representations within this locale. There
are several different representations which are all returned as sub
array. If you omit the value you will get a list of all quarters from
the 'gregorian' calendar returned. You can give any known calendar as
value to get a list of quarters from this calendar returned

Quarter

Returns a localized list of all quarter names for this locale. If you
omit the value you will get the normally used gregorian full name of the
quarters where each quarter number is used as key and the translated
quarter is returned as value. You can get the quarters for different
calendars and formats if you give an array as value. The first array
entry has to be the calendar, the second the used context and the third
the width to return

Eras

Returns a list of all era representations within this locale. If you
omit the value you will get a list of all eras from the 'gregorian'
calendar returned. You can give any known calendar as value to get a
list of eras from this calendar returned

Era

Returns a localized list of all era names for this locale. If you omit
the value you will get the normally used gregorian full name of the eras
where each era number is used as key and the translated era is returned
as value. You can get the eras for different calendars and formats if
you give an array as value. The first array entry has to be the calendar
and the second the width to return

Date

Returns a localized list of all date formats for this locale. The name
of the dateformat is used as key and the format itself as value.If you
omit the value you will get the date formats for the gregorian calendar
returned. You can get the date formats for different calendars if you
give the wished calendar as string. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

Time

Returns a localized list of all time formats for this locale. The name
of the timeformat is used as key and the format itself as value. If you
omit the value you will get the time formats for the gregorian calendar
returned. You can get the time formats for different calendars if you
give the wished calendar as string. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

DateTime

Returns a localized list of all known date-time formats for this locale.
The name of the date-time format is used as key and the format itself as
value. If you omit the value you will get the date-time formats for the
gregorian calendar returned. You can get the date-time formats for
different calendars if you give the wished calendar as string. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

DateItem

Returns a list of default formats for given date or time items

DateInterval

Returns a list of date or time formats which are used when you want to
display intervals. The list is a multidimentional array where the first
dimension is the interval format, and the second dimension is the token
with the greatest difference.

Field

Returns a localized list of date fields which can be used to display
calendars or date strings like 'month' or 'year' in a wished language.
If you omit the value you will get this list for the gregorian calendar
returned. You can get the list for different calendars if you give the
wished calendar as string

Relative

Returns a localized list of relative dates which can be used to display
textual relative dates like 'yesterday' or 'tomorrow' in a wished
language. If you omit the value you will get this list for the gregorian
calendar returned. You can get the list for different calendars if you
give the wished calendar as string

Symbols

Returns a localized list of characters used for number representations

NameToCurrency

Returns a localized list of names for currencies. The currency is used
as key and the translated name as value. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

CurrencyToName

Returns a list of currencies for localized names. The translated name is
used as key and the currency as value. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

CurrencySymbol

Returns a list of known localized currency symbols for currencies. The
currency is used as key and the symbol as value. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

Returns a list of fractions for currency values. The currency is used as
key and the fraction as integer value. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

CurrencyRounding

Returns a list of how to round which currency. The currency is used as
key and the rounding as integer value. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

CurrencyToRegion

Returns a list of currencies which are known to be used within a region.
The ISO3166 value ('region') is used as array key
and the ISO4217 value ('currency') as array value.
Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

RegionToCurrency

Returns a list of regions where a currency is used . The
ISO4217 value ('currency') is used as array key and
the ISO3166 value ('region') as array value. When a
currency is used in several regions these regions are separated with a
whitespace. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

RegionToTerritory

Returns a list of territories with the countries or sub territories
which are included within that territory. The ISO
territory code ('territory') is used as array key and the
ISO3166 value ('region') as array value. When a
territory contains several regions these regions are separated with a
whitespace

TerritoryToRegion

Returns a list of regions and the territories where these regions are
located. The ISO3166 code ('region') is used as
array key and the ISO territory code ('territory') as
array value. When a region is located in several territories these
territories are separated with a whitespace

ScriptToLanguage

Returns a list of scripts which are used within a language. The language
code is used as array key and the script code as array value. When a
language contains several scripts these scripts are separated with a
whitespace

LanguageToScript

Returns a list of languages which are using a script. The script code
is used as array key and the language code as array value. When a script
is used in several languages these languages are separated with a
whitespace

TerritoryToLanguage

Returns a list of languages and the countries where they are spoken. The
language is used as array key and the country code as array value. When
a language is used in several countries these countries are separated
with a whitespace

LanguageToTerritory

Returns a list of countries and the languages which are spoken within
them. The country code is used as array key and the language code
as array value. When several languages are spoken within a territory
then these languages are separated with a whitespace

TimezoneToWindows

Returns a list of windows timezones and the related
ISO timezone. The windows timezone is used as array
key and the ISO timezone as array value

WindowsToTimezone

Returns a list of ISO timezones and the related
windows timezone. The ISO timezone is used as array
key and the windows timezone as array value

TerritoryToTimezone

Returns a list of regions or territories and the related
ISO timezone. The ISO timezone is
used as array key and the territory code as array value

TimezoneToTerritory

Returns a list of timezones and the related region or territory code.
The region or territory code is used as array key and the
ISO timezone as array value

CityToTimezone

Returns a localized list of cities which can be used as translation for
a related timezone. Not for all timezones is a translation available,
but for a user is the real city written in his languages more accurate
than the ISO name of this timezone. The
ISO timezone is used as array key and the translated
city as array value

TimezoneToCity

Returns a list of timezones for localized city names. The localized city
is used as array key and the ISO timezone name as
array value

PhoneToTerritory

Returns a list of phone codes which are known to be used within a
territory. The territory (region) is used as array key and the telephone
code as array value

TerritoryToPhone

Returns a list of territories where a phone is used . The phone code
is used as array key and the territory (region) as array value. When a
phone code is used in several territories these territories are
separated with a whitespace

NumericToTerritory

Returns a list of 3 digit number codes for territories.
The territory (region) is used as array key and the 3 digit number code
as array value

TerritoryToNumeric

Returns a list of territories with their 3 digit number code. The 3
digit number code is used as array key and the territory (region) as
array value

Alpha3ToTerritory

Returns a list of 3 sign character codes for territories.
The territory (region) is used as array key and the 3 sign character
code as array value

TerritoryToAlpha3

Returns a list of territories with their 3 sign character code. The 3
sign character code is used as array key and the territory (region) as
array value

PostalToTerritory

Returns a list of territories with a regex for postal codes which are
included within that territory. The ISO territory
code ('territory') is used as array key and the regex as array value.

NumberingSystem

Returns a list of scripts with the notation for digits used within the
script

Returns a list of locale dependencies which can be used to upgrade a
language to a full qualified locale

Unit

Returns a list of localized calendar units. This can be used to
translate the strings "day", "month" and so on automatically

If you are in need of a single translated value, you can use the
getTranslation() method. It always returns a string but it
accepts some different types than the getTranslationList()
method. Also value is the same as before with one difference. You have to give the
detail you want to get returned as additional value.

Note:
Because you have almost always give a value as detail this parameter has to be given
as first parameter. This differs from the
getTranslationList() method.

Returns a translation for a language. To select the wished translation
you must give the language code as value

Script

Returns a translation for a script. To select the wished translation you
must give the script code as value

Territory or Country

Returns a translation for a territory. This can be countries, continents
and territories. To select the wished variant you must give the
territory code as value

Variant

Returns a translation for a script variant. To select the wished variant
you must give the variant code as value

Key

Returns translation for a known keys. This keys are generic values used
in translation. These are normally calendar, collation and currency. To
select the wished key you must give the key code as value

DefaultCalendar

Returns the default calendar for the given locale. For most locales this
will be 'gregorian'. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

MonthContext

Returns the default context for months which is used within the given
calendar. If you omit the value the 'gregorian' calendar will be used.
Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

DefaultMonth

Returns the default format for months which is used within the given
calendar. If you omit the value the 'gregorian' calendar will be used.
Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

Month

Returns a translation for a month. You have to give the number of the
month as integer value. It has to be between 1 and 12. If you want to
receive data for other calendars, contexts or formats, then you must
give an array instead of an integer with the expected values. The array
has to look like this: array( 'calendar', 'context', 'format',
'month number'). If you give only an integer then the
default values are the 'gregorian' calendar, the context 'format' and
the format 'wide'. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

DayContext

Returns the default context for ´days which is used within the given
calendar. If you omit the value the 'gregorian' calendar will be used.
Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

DefaultDay

Returns the default format for days which is used within the given
calendar. If you omit the value the 'gregorian' calendar will be used.
Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

Day

Returns a translation for a day. You have to give the english
abbreviation of the day as string value ('sun', 'mon', etc.). If you
want to receive data for other calendars, contexts or format, then you
must give an array instead of an integer with the expected values. The
array has to look like this: array('calendar', 'context',
'format', 'day abbreviation'). If you give only an
string then the default values are the 'gregorian' calendar, the context
'format' and the format 'wide'. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

Quarter

Returns a translation for a quarter. You have to give the number of the
quarter as integer and it has to be between 1 and 4. If you want to
receive data for other calendars, contexts or formats, then you must
give an array instead of an integer with the expected values. The array
has to look like this: array('calendar', 'context',
'format', 'quarter number'). If you give only an
string then the default values are the 'gregorian' calendar,
the context 'format' and the format 'wide'

Am

Returns translation for 'AM' in the expected locale. If you want to
receive data for other calendars provide a string with the expected
calendar. If you omit the value then the 'gregorian' calendar will be
used. Use Zend_Date for simplicity

Pm

Returns translation for 'PM' in the expected locale. If you want to
receive data for other calendars provide a string with the expected
calendar. If you omit the value then the 'gregorian' calendar will be
used. Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

Era

Returns a translation for an era within a locale. You have to give the
era number as string or integer. If you want to receive data for other
calendars or formats, then you must give an array instead of the era
number with the expected values. The array has to look like this:
array('calendar', 'format', 'era number'). If
you give only a string then the default values are the 'gregorian'
calendar and the 'abbr' format

DefaultDate

Returns the default date format which is used within the given
calendar. If you omit the value the 'gregorian' calendar will be used.
Use Zend_Date for
simplicity

Date

Returns the date format for a given calendar or format within a locale.
If you omit the value then the 'gregorian' calendar will be used with
the 'medium' format. If you give a string then the 'gregorian' calendar
will be used with the given format. Or you can also give an array which
will have to look like this: array('calendar',
'format'). Use Zend_Date for simplicity

DefaultTime

Returns the default time format which is used within the given calendar.
If you omit the value the 'gregorian' calendar will be used. Use
Zend_Date for simplicity

Time

Returns the time format for a given calendar or format within a locale.
If you omit the value then the 'gregorian' calendar will be used with
the 'medium' format. If you give a string then the 'gregorian' calendar
will be used with the given format. Or you can also give an array which
will have to look like this:
array('calendar', 'format'). Use Zend_Date for simplicity

DateTime

Returns the datetime format for the given locale which indicates how to
display date with times in the same string within the given calendar. If
you omit the value the 'gregorian' calendar will be used. Use
Zend_Date for simplicity

DateItem

Returns the default format for a given date or time item

DateInterval

Returns the interval format for a given date or time format. The first
value is the calendar format, normally 'gregorian'. The second value is
the interval format and the third value the token with the greatest
difference. For example: array('gregorian', 'yMMMM', 'y') returns the
interval format for the date format 'yMMMM' where 'y' has the greatest
difference.

Field

Returns a translated date field which can be used to display calendars
or date strings like 'month' or 'year' in a wished language. You must
give the field which has to be returned as string. In this case the
'gregorian' calendar will be used. You can get the field for other
calendar formats if you give an array which has to look like this:
array('calendar', 'date field')

Relative

Returns a translated date which is relative to today which can include
date strings like 'yesterday' or 'tomorrow' in a wished language. You
have to give the number of days relative to tomorrow to receive the
expected string. Yesterday would be '-1', tomorrow '1' and so on. This
will use the 'gregorian' calendar. if you want to get relative dates for
other calendars you will have to give an array which has to look like
this: array('calendar', 'relative days'). Use
Zend_Date for simplicity

DecimalNumber

Returns the format for decimal numbers within a given locale. Use Zend_Locale_Format for
simplicity

ScientificNumber

Returns the format for scientific numbers within a given locale

PercentNumber

Returns the format for percentage numbers within a given locale

CurrencyNumber

Returns the format for displaying currency numbers within a given
locale. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

NameToCurrency

Returns the translated name for a given currency. The currency has to be
given in ISO format which is for example 'EUR' for
the currency 'euro'. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

CurrencyToName

Returns a currency for a given localized name. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

CurrencySymbol

Returns the used symbol for a currency within a given locale. Not for
all currencies exists a symbol. Use
Zend_Currency for
simplicity

Question

Returns a localized string for acceptance ('yes') and negation ('no').
You have to give either 'yes' or 'no' as value to receive the expected
string. Use Zend_Locale's
getQuestion method for simplicity

CurrencyFraction

Returns the fraction to use for a given currency. You must give the
currency as ISO value. Use Zend_Currency
for simplicity

CurrencyRounding

Returns how to round a given currency. You must give the currency as
ISO value. If you omit the currency then the
'DEFAULT' rounding will be returned. Use Zend_Currency
for simplicity

CurrencyToRegion

Returns the currency for a given region. The region code has to be given
as ISO3166 string for example 'AT' for austria. Use
Zend_Currency for
simplicity

RegionToCurrency

Returns the regions where a currency is used. The currency has to be
given as ISO4217 code for example 'EUR' for euro.
When a currency is used in multiple regions, these regions are separated
with a whitespace character. Use Zend_Currency for
simplicity

RegionToTerritory

Returns the regions for a given territory. The territory has to be given
as ISO4217 string for example '001' for world. The
regions within this territory are separated with a whitespace character

TerritoryToRegion

Returns the territories where a given region is located. The region has
to be given in ISO3166 string for example 'AT' for
austria. When a region is located in multiple territories then these
territories are separated with a whitespace character

ScriptToLanguage

Returns the scripts which are used within a given language. The language
has to be given as ISO language code for example 'en'
for english. When multiple scripts are used within a language then these
scripts are separated with a whitespace character

LanguageToScript

Returns the languages which are used within a given script. The script
has to be given as ISO script code for example 'Latn'
for latin. When a script is used in multiple languages then these
languages are separated with a whitespace character

TerritoryToLanguage

Returns the territory where a given language is used. The language has
to be given as ISO language code for example 'en' for
english. When the given language is spoken within multiple territories
then these territories are separated with a whitespace character

LanguageToTerritory

Returns the language which is spoken within a given territory. The
territory has to be given as ISO3166 code for
example 'IT' for italia. When multiple languages are spoken within the
given territory then these languages are separated with a whitespace
character

TimezoneToWindows

Returns a ISO timezone for a given windows timezone

WindowsToTimezone

Returns a windows timezone for a given ISO timezone

TerritoryToTimezone

Returns the territory for a given ISO timezone

TimezoneToTerritory

Returns the ISO timezone for a given territory

CityToTimezone

Returns the localized city for a given ISO timezone.
Not for all timezones does a city translation exist

TimezoneToCity

Returns the ISO timezone for a given localized city
name. Not for all cities does a timezone exist

PhoneToTerritory

Returns the telephone code for a given territory (region). The territory
code has to be given as ISO3166 string for example
'AT' for austria

TerritoryToPhone

Returns the territory (region) where a telephone code is used. The
telephone code has to be given as plain integer code for example '43'
for +43. When a telephone code is used in multiple territories
(regions), these territories are separated with a whitespace character

NumericToTerritory

Returns the 3 digit number code for a given territory (region). The
territory code has to be given as ISO3166 string
for example 'AT' for austria

TerritoryToNumeric

Returns the territory (region) for a 3 digit number code. The 3 digit
number code has to be given as plain integer code for example '43'

Alpha3ToTerritory

Returns the 3 sign character code for a given territory (region). The
territory code has to be given as ISO3166 string
for example 'AT' for austria

TerritoryToAlpha3

Returns the territory (region) for a 3 sign character code

PostalToTerritory

Returns the a regex for postal codes for a given territory. The
territory has to be given as ISO4217 string for
example '001' for world

NumberingSystem

Returns a scripts with the notation for digits used within this script

Returns a locale dependencies for a given language which can be used to
upgrade this language to a full qualified locale

Unit

Returns a localized calendar unit. This can be used to translate
the strings "day", "month" and so on automatically. The first parameter
has to be the type, and the second parameter has to be the count

Note:
With Zend Framework 1.5 several old types have been renamed. This has to be done
because of several new types, some misspelling and to increase the usability. See
this table for a list of old to new types:

Differences between Zend Framework 1.0 and 1.5

Old type

New type

Country

Territory (with value '2')

Calendar

Type (with value 'calendar')

Month_Short

Month (with array('gregorian', 'format', 'abbreviated')

Month_Narrow

Month (with array('gregorian', 'stand-alone', 'narrow')

Month_Complete

Months

Day_Short

Day (with array('gregorian', 'format', 'abbreviated')

Day_Narrow

Day (with array('gregorian', 'stand-alone', 'narrow')

DateFormat

Date

TimeFormat

Time

Timezones

CityToTimezone

Currency

NameToCurrency

Currency_Sign

CurrencySymbol

Currency_Detail

CurrencyToRegion

Territory_Detail

TerritoryToRegion

Language_Detail

LanguageToTerritory

The example below demonstrates how to obtain the names of things in different languages.

To generate a list of all languages known by Zend_Locale, with
each language name shown in its own language, try the example below in a web page.
Similarly, getCountryTranslationList() and
getCountryTranslation() could be used to create a table mapping
your native language names for regions to the names of the regions shown in another
language. Use a try .. catch block to handle exceptions that occur
when using a locale that does not exist. Not all languages are also locales. In the
example, below exceptions are ignored to prevent early termination.

Obtaining translations for "yes" and "no"

Frequently, programs need to solicit a "yes" or "no" response from the user. Use
getQuestion() to obtain an array containing the correct word(s)
or regex strings to use for prompting the user in a particular $locale (defaults to the
current object's locale). The returned array will contain the following information :

yes and no: A generic string representation for yes and no
responses. This will contain the first and most generic response from yesarray
and noarray.

yesarray and noarray: An array with all known yes and
no responses. Several languages have more than just two responses. In general
this is the full string and its abbreviation.

yesexpr and noexpr: A generated regex which allows you
to handle user response, and search for yes or no.

All of this information are of course localized and depend on the set locale. See the
following example for the information you can receive:

Note:
Until 1.0.3 yesabbr from the underlaying locale data was also
available. Since 1.5 this information is no longer standalone available, but you
will find the information from it within yesarray.

Get a list of all known locales

Sometimes you will want to get a list of all known locales. This can be used for several
tasks like the creation of a selectbox. For this purpose you can use the static
getLocaleList() method which will return a list of all known
locales.

Example #12 getLocaleList()

$localelist = Zend_Locale::getLocaleList();

Note:
Note that the locales are returned as key of the array you will receive. The value
is always a boolean TRUE.

Detecting locales

When you want to detect if a given input, regardless of its source, is a locale you
should use the static isLocale() method. The first parameter of
this method is the string which you want to check.

As you can see, the output of this method is always a boolean. There is only one reason
you could get an exception when calling this method. When your system does not provide
any locale and Zend Framework is not able to detect it automatically. Normally this
shows that there is a problem with your OS in combination with PHP's
setlocale().

You should also note that any given locale string will automatically be degraded if the
region part does not exist for this locale. In our previous example the language
'to' does not exist in the region 'RU', but
you will still get TRUE returned as
Zend_Locale can work with the given input.

Still it's sometimes useful to prevent this automatic degrading, and this is where the
second parameter of isLocale() comes in place. The
strict parameter defaults to FALSE and can be
used to prevent degrading when set to TRUE.

Now that you are able to detect if a given string is a locale you could add locale aware
behaviour to your own classes. But you will soon detect that this always leads to
the same 15 lines of code. Something like the following example:

Example #15 Implement locale aware behaviour

if($locale === null){

$locale = new Zend_Locale();

}

if(!Zend_Locale::isLocale($locale, true, false)){

if(!Zend_Locale::isLocale($locale, false, false)){

throw new Zend_Locale_Exception(

"The locale '$locale' is no known locale");

}

$locale = new Zend_Locale($locale);

}

if($locale instanceof Zend_Locale){

$locale = $locale->toString();

}

With Zend Framework 1.8 we added a static findLocale() method
which returns a locale string which you can work with. It processes the following
tasks:

Detects if a given string is a locale

Degrades the locale if it does not exist in the given region

Upgrades the locale when it is detected as region without language

Returns a previous set application wide locale if no input is given

Detects the locale from browser when the previous detections failed

Detects the locale from environment when the previous detections failed

Detects the locale from framework when the previous detections failed

Returns always a string which represents the found locale.

The following example shows how these checks and the above code can be simplified with
one single call: